Press Release

Deadline Looms for School Choice in Texas

Deadline Looms for School Choice in TexasTexas House of Representatives Can Make a Significant Difference for Parents and Students

(Washington D.C.) - The future of school choice is in the hands of the Texas House of Representatives right now. Although the state Senate passed SB-4 - which would provide tax credits for parents who opt for private education for their children - Speaker of the House Joe Straus has not brought the bill to the floor for a vote. If the House does not take up and approve SB-4 before the session ends on June 1st, the current effort to expand school options for families and students will be killed, forcing families in Texas to wait over two years for a future legislative opportunity.

Jorge Lima, Policy Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

"Speaker Joe Straus and the members of the Texas House of Representatives should act to approve SB-4 before they adjourn, or face thousands of disappointed Texan families. It's imperative that the Committee of Ways and Means approve the bill in order to move the process forward so that this important piece of legislation may be voted on by the House and sent to the Governor to sign into law. If Speaker Straus refuses to bring it to the House floor, this session's critical effort is over - and Texas families in underperforming schools will be left with little alternative. This is a strong piece of legislation - one that contains key reforms that families and students support. Over the last few weeks, thousands of individuals have signed our petition urging officials in Texas to take action that would provide parents with greater choice on where their children go to school. Texas parents should contact their State Representative today and urge Members of the House to take up and approve the measure. The opportunity to help thousands of families is in their hands."